Navigating 2025’s construction market: how access solutions providers can stay ahead
With economic uncertainty, evolving regulations, and shifting investment priorities, 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities for companies in the access solutions sector. While private construction projects may slow down in some areas, new opportunities are emerging in public infrastructure, industrial logistics, and sustainable building upgrades.
For EMI Group and its partners, success in this changing market will depend on adaptability, innovation, and a focus on long-term value creation. Here’s how access solutions providers can navigate the challenges of 2025 and position themselves for growth
1. The challenge: fewer new projects, more competition
High inflation and tighter financing conditions have led to a more cautious approach from private investors, slowing down new commercial and residential developments. In key European markets, private sector investments may stagnate or experience only modest growth, with Germany already showing signs of a potential decline in commercial real estate investment.
However, the overall European construction market is still expected to reach between €1.1 and €1.3 trillion in 2025, driven largely by government-backed projects and sustainability-focused investments. This means that while some private projects are on hold, publicly funded developments and large-scale infrastructure initiatives remain strong growth drivers.
With fewer new projects available, access solutions providers are facing tougher competition. To stand out, companies must:
- Offer more than just products—clients need customized, integrated solutions that combine security, automation, and energy efficiency.
- Leverage strong service offerings—maintenance, retrofitting, and after-sales services are becoming major revenue drivers.
- Expand into resilient market sectors, where demand remains high despite economic challenges.
2. The opportunity: expanding beyond new builds
The European construction market is transitioning toward renovation, retrofitting, and energy-efficient upgrades. In sectors like healthcare, logistics, and public infrastructure, building owners must comply with stricter energy and safety standards, creating opportunities for access solutions providers to modernize existing facilities.
For EMI Group, this translates into:
- Upgrading hospital access systems—a sector receiving nearly €1 billion in investment in Romania alone to modernize medical infrastructure.
- Retrofitting industrial facilities—with over €700 million projected for industrial parks and logistics hubs in Romania, fire-resistant and automated access solutions will be key for safety and efficiency.
- Providing ongoing maintenance contracts—in a market where over 50,000 access systems are already under maintenance across EMI Group companies, expanding long-term service agreements ensures stability and growth.
Traditionally, access solutions providers have relied on new projects for revenue. But in 2025, companies that prioritize after-sales services and long-term maintenance agreements will have a stronger, more stable revenue stream.
By offering:
- Predictive maintenance solutions that use smart monitoring to prevent failures.
- Compliance and safety audits to ensure that fire-resistant and security doors meet evolving regulations.
- Energy-efficient system upgrades that align with green building initiatives.
EMI Group can differentiate itself as not just a supplier, but a long-term partner for building owners and developers.
3. Adapting to regulatory and market shifts
As sustainability and safety regulations tighten across Europe, access solutions providers must ensure that their products meet new industry standards. Key focus areas include:
- Fire-resistant doors—a growing market as fire safety regulations become stricter, particularly in hospitals, logistics centers, and industrial sites.
- Smart security integrations—ensuring that access systems meet new data protection and cybersecurity requirements.
- Sustainable materials and energy-efficient doors—with a projected 3–4% annual growth in investments in green buildings, high-performance access solutions are becoming standard in new and renovated projects.
Not all European markets are responding the same way to economic shifts. Understanding where demand remains strong is crucial for companies looking to grow in 2025.
- Germany: Cautious investment in commercial real estate but 2–3% annual growth in infrastructure and technology-driven access solutions.
- France & Italy: Public infrastructure and renovation projects are on the rise, with a projected 4–5% growth in public works spending.
- Romania & Eastern Europe: Strong growth in hospital and industrial projects, with major opportunities in publicly funded developments. The €1.5 billion allocated for highway construction will also generate demand for automated access and security solutions in transport infrastructure.
- Nordic countries: A focus on sustainability and smart buildings, favoring digital access control and high-tech door systems.
For EMI Group, this means focusing on markets where investment is still flowing—particularly in healthcare, logistics, and public infrastructure projects.
4. The EMI Group advantage: a strategy for success in 2025
EMI Group is already positioned to succeed in this new market environment by:
- Targeting high-growth sectors—healthcare, industrial, and public infrastructure projects.
- Focusing on modernization and service offerings—expanding maintenance, retrofitting, and compliance solutions.
- Leveraging group-wide expertise—combining strengths across automatic doors, industrial access, fire safety, and intelligent building solutions.
- Investing in technology and smart integration—ensuring that EMI’s access solutions are part of the broader shift toward digital and sustainable buildings.
2025 is not a year for passive adaptation—it’s a year for strategic moves. Companies that innovate, expand their service models, and align with emerging trends will not just survive—they will lead the industry forward.
At EMI Group, we believe that challenge breeds opportunity. By staying agile, proactive, and customer-focused, we are committed to helping our clients and partners navigate this evolving market with confidence.
The future of access solutions is smarter, more integrated, and service-driven—and EMI Group is ready to make it happen.
